Marlington Bog
A very long time ago
It is estimated that the formation of the bog and its individual components began over 10,000 years ago. Indeed, the retreat of the glaciers then present throughout southern Quebec literally ploughed the soil leaving innumerable crevasses that can be found just about everywhere on our territory. It is in one of these crevasses that partly stagnant water and plants whose life cycle is adapted to these exceptional conditions have settled. The decomposition of organic matter - leaves, stems, roots, sphagnum moss - has formed over the centuries a thick carpet of peat saturated with water. Today, the accumulated peat would be about 6 meters (20 feet) thick and would increase by a few millimeters each year.
It is estimated that the formation of the bog and its individual components began over 10,000 years ago. Indeed, the retreat of the glaciers then present throughout southern Quebec literally ploughed the soil leaving innumerable crevasses that can be found just about everywhere on our territory. It is in one of these crevasses that partly stagnant water and plants whose life cycle is adapted to these exceptional conditions have settled. The decomposition of organic matter - leaves, stems, roots, sphagnum moss - has formed over the centuries a thick carpet of peat saturated with water. Today, the accumulated peat would be about 6 meters (20 feet) thick and would increase by a few millimeters each year.
More recently
The Marlington Bog almost disappeared completely. According to different stories from the late 1980s, the owner of the site had at one point planned to operate the bog commercially, hoping that his neighbor, Mr. Albert Elliott, would allow him to use and widen the creek running through his property in order to drain the site. The authorization was not granted and the project was abandoned. In 1972, Mr. Joel Andress purchased the land for protection purposes and donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 1992. That same year, citizens formed the Elliandress Corporation, which undertook under lease to preserve and animate the peat bog. We can thank Albert Elliott for having opposed the commercial development of thd site for our greatest pleasure today.
The Marlington Bog almost disappeared completely. According to different stories from the late 1980s, the owner of the site had at one point planned to operate the bog commercially, hoping that his neighbor, Mr. Albert Elliott, would allow him to use and widen the creek running through his property in order to drain the site. The authorization was not granted and the project was abandoned. In 1972, Mr. Joel Andress purchased the land for protection purposes and donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 1992. That same year, citizens formed the Elliandress Corporation, which undertook under lease to preserve and animate the peat bog. We can thank Albert Elliott for having opposed the commercial development of thd site for our greatest pleasure today.
A peat bog with multiple shapes
While the Marlington Bog has been known as such for several decades, a careful examination of its ecosystem reveals some surprising elements. The property includes a large sphagnum peat bog, a pond fed by small streams, a swamp and a maple grove. The vegetation varies from one environment to the other. There are two types of bogs; they are either ombrotrophic or minerotrophic. In the case of ombrotrophic bogs or bogs, the main water supply comes from rain and snow, whereas in minerotrophic bogs or fens, the circulation of water from the ground, for example a stream, is predominant. This is exactly what one can see at the Marlington Bog! Find out for yourself!
While the Marlington Bog has been known as such for several decades, a careful examination of its ecosystem reveals some surprising elements. The property includes a large sphagnum peat bog, a pond fed by small streams, a swamp and a maple grove. The vegetation varies from one environment to the other. There are two types of bogs; they are either ombrotrophic or minerotrophic. In the case of ombrotrophic bogs or bogs, the main water supply comes from rain and snow, whereas in minerotrophic bogs or fens, the circulation of water from the ground, for example a stream, is predominant. This is exactly what one can see at the Marlington Bog! Find out for yourself!
The vegetal characteristics of peat bogs
Ombrotrophic or minerotrophic, bog or fen, the debate has been going on for a long time, but what are the elements that allow us to better qualify the different components of the peat bog? First of all, let us note that it is part of a larger natural ensemble composed of small streams, marshes, ponds and forests. The pond commonly referred to as Mud pond, located in the middle of the property. From the dragonfly bridge one can observe a vegetation similar to that a minerotrophic bog or fen due to the presence of Blue Flag irises, bulrushes, water lilies, cattails and sedges. A bit further lies the ombrotrophic bog or bog, composed of a thick mat of brown sphagnum moss where one can find Labrador tea, broad-sheathed cottongrass, and lichens. Finally, some plants, such as smilacins, sundews, pitcher plants and kalmias, are said to be transgressive because they are found in both bog and fen.
Ombrotrophic or minerotrophic, bog or fen, the debate has been going on for a long time, but what are the elements that allow us to better qualify the different components of the peat bog? First of all, let us note that it is part of a larger natural ensemble composed of small streams, marshes, ponds and forests. The pond commonly referred to as Mud pond, located in the middle of the property. From the dragonfly bridge one can observe a vegetation similar to that a minerotrophic bog or fen due to the presence of Blue Flag irises, bulrushes, water lilies, cattails and sedges. A bit further lies the ombrotrophic bog or bog, composed of a thick mat of brown sphagnum moss where one can find Labrador tea, broad-sheathed cottongrass, and lichens. Finally, some plants, such as smilacins, sundews, pitcher plants and kalmias, are said to be transgressive because they are found in both bog and fen.
